Old Folks Laugh Poem by Maya Angelou
Old Folks Laugh
They have spent their
content of simpering,
holding their lips this
and that way, winding
the lines between
their brows. Old folks
allow their bellies to jiggle like slow
tambourines.
The hollers
rise up and spill
over any way they want.
When old folks laugh, they free the world.
They turn slowly, slyly knowing
the best and the worst
of remembering.
Saliva glistens in
the corners of their mouths,
their heads wobble
on brittle necks, but
their laps
are filled with memories.
When old folks laugh, they consider the promise
of dear painless death, and generously
forgive life for happening
to them.
When old folks laugh, they laugh with their hearts, they own the world. Their laughter speaks of satisfaction and amusement and fulfillment we are yet to achieve.
Oh yes.. it is satisfying to watch old folks laugh. Their laughter speaks of amusement and fulfillment and satisfaction.
a wonderfully observed poem about older people having the freedom to laugh when they want to?
I love/loved Maya Angelou's poems in her beautifully written greeting cards!
Most sympathetic poem about old folks.Congratulations on being chosen as The Modern Poem Of The Day. How loveliest worded. My Congrats to the family of the late great poetess! 5 Stars!
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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4/25/2024 8:38:40 AM # 1.0.0.1119
Saliva glistens in the corners of their mouths, their heads wobble on brittle necks, but their laps are filled with memories. Those are the tell-it-like-it-is words of Maya- one of the most straight-shooting female poets I have ever read.